Anyone who lives in the Garden State knows New Jersey is a quirky state – and that’s exactly how we like it! New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the country, but it’s densely populated and filled with culture. It’s also filled with historic firsts, unique attractions, and record-setting sights and destinations. You might be surprised – even some things you thought belonged to our neighbors are actually New Jersey originals! These 14 quirky facts about New Jersey delve into the state’s history – and may just give you a new destination or five for your next road trip!
- New Jersey Is The Diner Capital Of The United States.
Ashley O’Connell/Google Local New Jersey has more diners per capita than anywhere else in the world - and many of them still look like they did when they were opened in the mid-20th century! Reo Diner, 392 Amboy Ave, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095, USA
- The Atlantic City Boardwalk Is The World’s First - And Largest
Bob S/TripAdvisor The Atlantic City Boardwalk was built in 1854, and gives visitors a straight line down an epic strip of resorts and attractions. And in over 150 years, no one has made a longer one! Atlantic City Boardwalk, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
- Square Dancing Is The Official State Dance
Public Domain/Wikipedia Designated the official state folk dance in 1983, this quirky old-fashioned dance no doubt brings back memories of gym class for many older residents.
- New Jersey Has The World’s Tallest Water Tower
Unidyne/Wikipedia Standing a whopping 212 feet tall, the Union Watersphere is one of northern New Jersey’s most distinctive landmarks. Kawameeh Park, 1750 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083, USA
- The Monopoly Street Names Come From New Jersey.
fir0002flagstaffotos/Wikipedia These names aren’t fictional - they are actually taken from the real streets of Atlantic City!
- The First Drive-In Movie Theater Was In Camden
Unknown Author/Wikipedia Neither cars or movies were at their peak yet in 1933 when the first drive-in theater opened - and this New Jersey original continues to spread today. Camden, NJ, USA
- The World’s Largest Spoon Collection Is In Lambert Castle
Daniar Alimov/Google Local This Paterson historic site has hundreds of spoons, many iof them with ornate carvings and designs that make them look more like a work of art. Lambert Castle, 3 Valley Rd, Paterson, NJ 07503, USA
- New Jersey Is Home To The World’s Largest Miniature Collection
Igor Kirilenko/Google Local This museum features miniature cities, landscapes, and a sprawling rail display that dazzles visitors with its incredible detail. Northlandz, 495 US-202, Flemington, NJ 08822, USA
- The First Submarine Ride Was In The Passaic River.
US Navy/Wikipedia Submarines have come a long way since 1878 - but the very first model, the Holland Boat #1, was taken for a test ride right here in New Jersey!
- There Actually Is An Answer To The Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham Debate.
Austinmurphy/Wikipedia Is it Taylor Ham or Pork Roll? That depends on where you live - but the truth is that Taylor Ham is the most popular brand of the breakfast meat known as pork roll!
- New Jersey Has A Year-Round Old-School Funhouse.
Dawn G/Google Local At Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, this offbeat attraction takes you through a mirror maze into a surreal landscape of bizarre and hilarious characters. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
- There Is A Volcano In New Jersey.
Lithium6ion/Wikipedia Rutan Hill is a long-dormant volcano, and the area has become a hot hub for real estate development - which means everyone is very confident it’ll stay dormant. Rutan Hill, Wantage, NJ 07461, USA
- You Can Explore A Paranormal Museum In Asbury Park.
Earl Grossner/Google Local Located in a bookstore only minutes from the shore, this eerie destination is the perfect place to learn about famous New Jersey ghosts and cryptids like the Jersey Devil.
- The Statue Of Liberty Is In…New Jersey?
Public Domain/Wikipedia It’s a New York institution - or so they want you to think! Actually, a court case resolved that most of Ellis Island, including Lady Liberty, are part of the Garden State. And the Giants and Jets play here too! Statue of Liberty Parking, 30 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
How many of these quirky facts about New Jersey did you know? Do you have any unusual facts about New Jersey you can’t wait to share? Let us know in the comments section. You can visit the websites of Northlandz, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, or Paranormal Books & Curiosities for more details on these unusual attractions. For another historic site in New Jersey, check out the state’s World War II lookout tower.
Ashley O’Connell/Google Local
New Jersey has more diners per capita than anywhere else in the world - and many of them still look like they did when they were opened in the mid-20th century!
Reo Diner, 392 Amboy Ave, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095, USA
Bob S/TripAdvisor
The Atlantic City Boardwalk was built in 1854, and gives visitors a straight line down an epic strip of resorts and attractions. And in over 150 years, no one has made a longer one!
Atlantic City Boardwalk, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
Public Domain/Wikipedia
Designated the official state folk dance in 1983, this quirky old-fashioned dance no doubt brings back memories of gym class for many older residents.
Unidyne/Wikipedia
Standing a whopping 212 feet tall, the Union Watersphere is one of northern New Jersey’s most distinctive landmarks.
Kawameeh Park, 1750 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083, USA
fir0002flagstaffotos/Wikipedia
These names aren’t fictional - they are actually taken from the real streets of Atlantic City!
Unknown Author/Wikipedia
Neither cars or movies were at their peak yet in 1933 when the first drive-in theater opened - and this New Jersey original continues to spread today.
Camden, NJ, USA
Daniar Alimov/Google Local
This Paterson historic site has hundreds of spoons, many iof them with ornate carvings and designs that make them look more like a work of art.
Lambert Castle, 3 Valley Rd, Paterson, NJ 07503, USA
Igor Kirilenko/Google Local
This museum features miniature cities, landscapes, and a sprawling rail display that dazzles visitors with its incredible detail.
Northlandz, 495 US-202, Flemington, NJ 08822, USA
US Navy/Wikipedia
Submarines have come a long way since 1878 - but the very first model, the Holland Boat #1, was taken for a test ride right here in New Jersey!
Austinmurphy/Wikipedia
Is it Taylor Ham or Pork Roll? That depends on where you live - but the truth is that Taylor Ham is the most popular brand of the breakfast meat known as pork roll!
Dawn G/Google Local
At Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, this offbeat attraction takes you through a mirror maze into a surreal landscape of bizarre and hilarious characters.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
Lithium6ion/Wikipedia
Rutan Hill is a long-dormant volcano, and the area has become a hot hub for real estate development - which means everyone is very confident it’ll stay dormant.
Rutan Hill, Wantage, NJ 07461, USA
Earl Grossner/Google Local
Located in a bookstore only minutes from the shore, this eerie destination is the perfect place to learn about famous New Jersey ghosts and cryptids like the Jersey Devil.
It’s a New York institution - or so they want you to think! Actually, a court case resolved that most of Ellis Island, including Lady Liberty, are part of the Garden State. And the Giants and Jets play here too!
Statue of Liberty Parking, 30 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Paranormal Books & Curiosities/The Paranormal Museum, 621 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
